Many of you may remember setting up a lemonade stand as a kid and selling each cup for a nickel or dime. I think those cups go for more these days. However, the point is every business starts with an idea- even if that idea is as simplistic as a lemonade stand.
The ideas of entrepreneurs have developed into the more than 27 million small businesses operating in the U.S. today. In this issue of the Baylor Business Review, we focus on the backbone of the American economy: small business.
You will read how our students are learning the importance of entrepreneurial skills in solving social problems by working with small business owners, young professionals and students in Rwanda. Two of our faculty members are also sharing business lessons abroad in Honduras and Africa simply by using a Coke bottle.
You will be introduced to some of our alumni who have implemented skills first learned at Hankamer to run successful small businesses. Other alumni are connecting through the Baylor Angel Network, a community of angel investors, Baylor alumni and friends that offers funding opportunities to startups.
Just as the Baylor Angel Network provides opportunities to connect, we hope to reconnect with you at Homecoming this fall. Join us on campus for this exciting time as we celebrate our Baylor roots.
Terry S. Maness
Dean, Hankamer School of Business
Baylor Business Review, Fall 2011